Madhubani paintings on display at KA
By Sahradya

Manisha and Bandana, the two Jha sisters, are here with a mission, an intention to popularize the folk art form of Mithila region in Northern Bihar. The Madhubani through their exhibition.

Like all other women folk belonging to the Kaayastha or the ' brahmin' caste, the Jha sisters inherited this form from their ancestors.

The women of Mithilanchal have preserved this vibrant tradition for centuries passing it from a generation to another.

These paintings derived the name 'Madhubani' from a ltown that name in Bihar, and are basically ceremonial representations, a must for every occasion like weddings, births and festivals.

The themes comprise mainly of mythological incidents depicted in a peculiar style on a canvas prepared out of mud, cow dung and white lime wash, on the walls of the house hoisting the ceremonies.

The Brahmin style of Madhubani uses vibrant colours like peepa (Pink), haladi (turmeric), hareeyaar (green), kesar (Saffron) and handi (black).

Phoolmaya Devi, grandmother of the Jha sisters was a great artist of this tradition whose works inspired Manisha and Bandana and initiated them to pursue the tradition as an art form which needs propagation and recognition.

There has been no school of this painting tradition and for the women of Mithilanchal, it comes naturally while helping the older women folk.

Till the late 60's the art existed only as a tradition but during the prolonged drought of 1966, the women or Mithila region were forced to produce their paintings on handmade paper for commercial sale.

It was only then that the world outside Mithilanchal discovered, the richeness of this art form.

Manisha and Bandana who are both architects wish to propagate their traditional style of women paintings which is a deep rooted heritage linked to the lonely lives of the women in solitude of Mithilanchal.

There education as architects, has helped them search for new media for experimentation and has also given them different subjects for their paintings,

They will exhibit about 80 of their works which are rendered in the Madhubani style depicting simple themes of marriage nature, and form Hindi Philosophy.

The collection consists of works from their childhood days to more recent times.

Most of the works are by Manisha the elder of the two who has been experimenting with forms and artificial colours a concept alien to the Madhubani style.

Manisha also intends to do a series on the Goan folk dance forms in the Madhubani, style which she find very vibrant and of course, colourful.

The exhibition of their works will be inaugurated on 16 December and is open for public viewing till the 23 December from 10-00 am at the Art Gallery of the Kala Academy.